What is included in utilities? What do utilities include?

Not every citizen knows exactly what is included in the list of public services. Let's figure out what amenities every person in the Russian Federation can count on in 2019.

Dear readers! The article talks about typical ways to resolve legal issues, but each case is individual. If you want to know how solve exactly your problem- contact a consultant:

APPLICATIONS AND CALLS ARE ACCEPTED 24/7 and 7 days a week.

It's fast and FOR FREE!

And we will determine how payments are made by users of resources supplied by management companies or HOAs.

Thanks to public services, citizens can count on comfortable living.

And the list of such services is specified in the agreement that was drawn up between the owners of the apartments and the housing and communal services, management company or HOA.

But not everyone has a sample contract on hand, and therefore the question often arises about what exactly the governing body should do and what is worth paying for.

Indeed, often, due to their ignorance of legal norms, citizens do not know about their rights and available benefits. As a result, they overpay.

General aspects

If you know what exactly we are paying for, you can justify recalculation of payments for housing and communal services, competently draw up plans for a private house when carrying out construction work, etc.

Housing and communal services provide 2 types of services – communal and housing. Both of them increase the comfort of people’s lives.

Such companies must ensure uninterrupted provision of amenities. Citizens, in turn, must pay for them on time.

Basic Concepts

Housing and communal services are services that are designed to provide citizens with basic amenities.

If your apartment is not connected to all such communication systems, you can express your wishes to improve conditions to authorized persons of the relevant authorities.

And government agencies cannot refuse such requests. Mandatory objects in a residential area:

• shower, bath, sink that has a working faucet;
• a heating system that works without interruption (electrical appliances are not taken into account);
• European-style power supply and sockets;
• sewer system.

Who is the obligatory payer?

The obligation to pay fees for the provision of utility services is stated in.

It is indicated when it occurs in a certain circle of people. Must pay:

Only registered persons are charged. The legislation does not provide for accrual to persons who actually live in the apartment.

The exception is cases when consumers wish to pay for services on a voluntary basis. But in this case, it is advisable to conclude an appropriate agreement between such a person and the owner.

If such a device is not available, then the amount is determined based on the standard for resource consumption per resident (or per square meter).

It talks about the obligation of citizens to install common house metering devices (CDMU) in all apartment buildings.

This way you can determine the exact volumes of resource consumption in a particular apartment.

What else could it be

Not every service provided by a management company is mandatory. There are optional ones, when a person can choose one of 2 at his own discretion. These include the supply of hot water and gas.

You can also choose both services. Additional services that citizens have the right to choose independently include:

• cable TV;
• radio (if it is not used by residents, then they write a statement about disconnection);
• intercom.

But citizens cannot help but pay for the elevator and garbage chute, since they are located on public territory. It's another matter if they are faulty.

Then a claim is filed in court and relevant evidence of the provision of poor-quality services is provided.

Emerging nuances

Let's look at how utilities are paid by tenants and legal entities.

When paying rent

When a property is rented, an agreement is drawn up between the owner and the tenant. In such a document it is worth specifying who is responsible for paying for utilities.

If there is no such clause in, then all bills for services will be sent to the owner of the apartment.

Therefore, the payment clause in the contract will allow the landlord to protect himself from unscrupulous tenants.

There are 3 possible options:

House management

The Housing Code of Russia obliges citizens to pay for housing and utilities. In this case, the providers of utility services can be legal entities or individual entrepreneurs. They acquire resources, carry out work and are responsible for the serviceability of all intra-house communications.

The following have the right to use public services:

Owners of residential premises with their families;

Persons who received housing from a cooperative organization;

Tenants of premises; persons who have rented an apartment (room).

Public utilities:

Drinking cold water. The supply must be around the clock. Carried out via a central or intra-house network. The volume and quality of water must be at the appropriate level.

Hot water. Must be supplied around the clock through centralized networks for all areas of the house.

Drainage. Sewage disposal should also be carried out around the clock - through centralized networks and in-house systems. Sewage systems should be present in most living areas of the home. If a residential premises does not have a centralized sewerage system, then it should not be taken into account in the list of utilities.

Electricity supply. Electricity in the required volume must also be supplied around the clock, without interruption. However, power outages are recorded on metering devices. Please note that resource supply organizations are not required to maintain networks inside the home. The consumer is obliged to provide the meter data before the date indicated on the receipt. If the data has not been received, then the RSO has the right to calculate the volume of consumption according to the standards in the event that a system has not been installed in which data from metering devices is automatically sent to the organization’s control room.

You will have to pay for general house expenses even if you have not lived in the apartment for some time. The volume of general house services is calculated taking into account the space occupied by each. In the absence of a common house meter, the calculation is made according to the standards. Experts assure that it is very beneficial to have both common and entrance meters at the same time. They allow you to calculate the “left” connections to the general house electrical network. They also make it clear which entrances know how to save money and which ones don’t.

Gas supply. Gas must be supplied around the clock. Gas meters provide real savings and pay for themselves fairly quickly in apartments with a large number of residents.

Heating. Thermal energy must be supplied centrally to houses, apartments and non-residential premises. Residents were deducted from paying for common heating costs. There is no need to pay for heating an entrance where there are no radiators. In 2013, new changes were made that relate to the rules for the provision of utility services. Regulatory coefficients were introduced for those who are in no hurry to install individual metering devices. For such owners, increased standards have been introduced for all types of utilities. Every six months the payment increases. As a result, the excess will reach 60%.

Housing services:

Provision of residential premises for use under a social tenancy agreement or a rental agreement for residential premises of the state or municipal housing stock;

Removal of solid and liquid household waste from apartment buildings.

Housing and utility payments

For employers:

For the use of residential premises (rental fee);

For owners:

For the maintenance and repair of residential premises. Consists of fees for services and work for managing an apartment building. The owner of premises in an apartment building is obliged to bear the costs of maintaining not only the premises he owns, but also the common property in the house: house structures, corridors, staircases, attics and basements, utility networks, elevators and garbage chutes, etc. Article 39 of the RF Housing Code. Moreover, the amount of the amount is determined by the residents themselves at a meeting of the owners of the apartment buildings. This is declared by parts 2 and 4 of Art. 158 Housing Code of the Russian Federation.

The management organization has the right to propose taking into account certain works and costs. Sometimes management companies offer a shortened list of services and work for the maintenance and current repairs of a house for a maximum cost, which is set annually by the local administration. “Missing” services are offered to be paid additionally. This shouldn't happen, of course. The list of house maintenance services and routine repair work is in Rosstroi Decree 170 of September 23, 2003.
Do not confuse the fee for the maintenance and current repairs of the COMMON PROPERTY of the owners of apartment buildings, which is included in the payment, and paid work for minor repairs in your apartment, which are carried out according to your order.

Extra lines

In payment bills, columns with antennas, cable television or Internet, radio, locking device, concierge, parking lot security, and so on periodically appear next to legitimate utilities and housing services. All these services are neither utilities nor housing. It is illegal to include them in a payment order. Such payments should be excluded from the single payment document. Do not allow the management company to include a vague clause in the management agreement about its right to conclude any other agreements. Otherwise, unnecessary services may be imposed on you. All additional decisions are made at the meeting.

It is difficult to imagine modern life without the many benefits of civilization. Even if they are not always at the level we would like, many people have them. And one of them is utilities. What does it include? How important are they for maintaining living standards? And for hygiene and from a medical point of view? We will talk about this in this article.

general information

So, what are utilities? Does this include everything that is considered “by default”, or are there specific points? For most citizens of the Russian Federation, housing and communal services are a dark forest. This is sad. After all, not all employees of the relevant structures are distinguished by honesty and conscientiousness, and as a result, the citizens themselves suffer from their own legal illiteracy. Alas, the legislation of the Russian Federation is structured in such a way that in order to use one’s own rights one must know about them and also seek implementation. Therefore, it often happens that completely legal requirements are not met due to ignorance. As a result, you have to overpay for government services or not receive the benefits you are entitled to.

The only way out at the moment is to improve your own legal education. For many, this state of affairs may seem quite complicated, but once you want to figure it out, you will see that this is not so. After all, there are many pleasant moments here. But let's figure out what these are utilities. Do they include everything we think they do?

What's not to like?

One has only to mention housing and communal services, and many people begin to cringe. Some people remember long queues (fortunately, this problem is being significantly solved thanks to the virtualization of the payment process and e-commerce), others - about significant deception. Many people are faced with bills that are several times more than they need. This happens because housing and communal services employees, making mistakes or relying on our carelessness, issue bills for services that are not used. Therefore, after reading this article, you will be able to:

1. Give reasons for recalculating payment for services provided.
2. Competently draw up a plan for a private house when conducting individual housing construction.
3. Receive subsidies and benefits to improve living conditions.

What are utilities?

What's this? This concept includes providing citizens with the basic goods necessary for comfortable living. The legislation of the Russian Federation stipulates that they must be in every house and apartment. What is included in utilities? The list is attached:

1. Bath or shower, as well as a sink or sink with a working faucet.
2. Electricity and sockets according to established standards.
3. Sewerage.
4. A heating system that functions without failure. Moreover, this does not include electrical heating appliances. That is, if there is no battery and a portable heater is used, then you can apply for a subsidy.

Speaking in proper legal language, these were the means of providing services. What's the difference here? Well, let's find out. Not all services are required. Some of them relate to optional features. What is included in utilities? The list of optional ones is attached:

1. Gas supply.
2. Hot water supply.

The right to choose one of the two or both at once is provided. Let's look at three small examples:

1. Gas supply should be registered in cases where there is equipment that runs on gas fuel. After all, if the stove runs on electricity, then what is it for?
2. Those people who have a gas burner installed in their bathroom can refuse hot water supply. This device allows you to quickly and easily heat water to the required temperature. As you might guess, it runs on gas. It should be noted that the heating rate is high.
3. If you have a gas stove, but no burner, then both services should be connected. But this is an extremely unprofitable option. Although it is quite common.

Mandatory services. What to do if they are disabled?

Earlier we talked about means. What is included in utilities? Their list looks like this:

1. Heating system.
2. Cold water supply.
3. Electricity.
4. Sewerage.

If the house does not have one of these amenities, then citizens have the right to write to the prosecutor's office and submit an application for damages. Receiving services from the above lists is the legal right of every person. But you should pay attention: if you do not pay for housing and communal services for a long time (usually this means a period of six months), then you will be deprived of the right to receive them. Such sanctions can be imposed in relation to both individual apartments and entire houses.

But what to do if there is a payment, but one of the required services was disabled without explanation for a significant period? In this case, a person can claim a refund of part of the money that was paid. To do this, you must issue a recalculation. In essence, it represents compensation for services not provided if planned work was not announced. Let's look at a small example. In winter, we are heated by a heating system without a meter (that is, we pay according to the tariff). From January 26 to February 4 there was no heating. But the bill will come in full, as if there was no break. In this case, the citizen should contact the housing and communal services office that owns the house and write an application for recalculation. And next month you will receive a reduced heating bill as compensation for the inconvenience. So we looked at what is included in the payment of utility services from the point of view of legislation.

What is fixed at the national level?

Initially, it should be noted that from the point of view of legislation, housing and communal services are divided according to their own:

1. The procedure for approving tariffs/prices.
2. Functional purpose.

In the first case, three groups are distinguished:

1. First. This includes housing and communal services, tariffs/prices for which are approved by authorized central executive authorities.
2. Second group. This includes housing and communal services, tariffs/prices for which are approved by authorized local government bodies within the jurisdictional territory.
3. Third group. This includes housing and communal services, tariffs/prices for which are approved exclusively within the framework of contracts concluded between the parties.

Depending on the functional purpose, the legislation divides it into:

1. Public utilities. This includes centralized hot and cold water supply, drainage, electricity and gas supply, heating, and household waste removal.
2. Maintenance services for houses, buildings and surrounding areas. This means cleaning premises and areas, maintaining the operability of networks, elevators, lighting, routine repairs and sanitary maintenance.
3. Services for managing a building, a house or a group of them. This includes maintaining balance sheets, concluding contracts and monitoring their implementation.
4. Repair services for premises, structures and houses. This means replacement, strengthening or reconstruction of networks and individual elements, restoration of load-bearing capacity.

Here's what's included in your utility bills. Of course, this is not all information on the law. It stipulates the procedure for access by responsible persons in the event of an accident or emergency, and the same minimum standards, as well as the procedure for the provision of public services.

A small retreat

So, housing maintenance is included in utilities. Moreover, this means not just performing duties for show, but providing high-quality comfortable living conditions. Knowing what is included in the concept of “utilities”, it is much easier to be aware of what the payment orders that come to us every month should be. But at the same time, there are quite a large number of specific points.

About rent

Currently, housing is not allocated to every young family or promising specialist. Therefore, the question of what is included in utilities when renting is increasingly being asked. In a standard situation, if an agreement is concluded between the owner and the guest, it is stipulated that the latter will pay all invoices received. Further, the situation will be considered from the position that interaction takes place in the legal field. In other words, an agreement was concluded and the relevant authorities were informed about it.

In this case, the tenant can demand that the utility services fulfill their obligations, which they must fulfill, in full. That is, if there is a break in heating in winter, while the “tariff” interaction scheme is in effect, a person has every right to contact the housing and communal services department to demand compensation. You can use the concluded agreement to confirm your rights. Otherwise, housing and communal services employees may ask on what basis he requires this. And even call the police, who will record the conduct of unregistered business activity - renting out property - with all the ensuing consequences. To avoid such moments, in the absence of contracts, you can agree with the owner that utilities are included in the rent, and he independently provides and pays for them.

Making claims

Let's look at how interaction is carried out with representatives of housing and communal services. In the event of violations of the agreed terms of the contract, the consumer can contact the structure to draw up a claim act, which notes the deadlines, indicators, and types of deviations. Theoretically, you can call a housing and communal services representative if this is provided for in the contract. And he will have to appear on time, as provided for in this document. After this, the claim act is jointly drawn up and confirmed by signatures. If the performer’s representative refuses to put his autograph on the document, then it is necessary for at least two consumers to confirm its veracity. Otherwise it will be declared invalid.

After this, the claim act is transferred to the executor. And he must decide within three days whether to recalculate payments or issue a written refusal to the consumer, which will contain the justification for not satisfying his claims. In the latter case, you can try to solve the problem through the court. At the same time, the possibility of pre-trial resolution of the dispute remains open. If it is determined that the contractor performed his tasks poorly, evaded direct responsibilities, although the maintenance of housing is included in the utilities, he will have to correct everything. In such cases, you can also claim some compensation. This involves checking cost indicators, quality of services, etc., depending on the object of the claim.

Control

It is not enough to know what is included in housing and communal services. It is also necessary to monitor the work of housing and communal services. In general, there are good opportunities for this in the Russian Federation. But again you need to know about this. Every citizen has the right to be familiar with what services are included in public utilities, what is provided to him, what money is spent on, and in what volume. Having the data, he can compare it with offers on the market, analyze the work of different departments of housing and communal services, in order to record violations or simply suspicious deviations if something happens. If they are identified, having information documents in hand, you can contact the prosecutor’s office to investigate the possible abuse. In general, to maintain the situation at a more or less decent level, it is enough for one person out of several hundred to be active. But to bring the situation to a high level, everyone must be concerned about where the funds are spent, what we pay.

Conclusion

So we looked at the topic of the article. Now everyone knows that water supply, heating, sewerage and electricity are included in utilities. It’s not for nothing that they say that knowledge is power. For truly they provide significant opportunities to protect their rights. This article will most likely serve as a start for a new person. Because knowing what you can claim, you begin to act. Those who understand what is rightfully theirs can fight to see that it is realized or even further expanded. And along with this, the level of comfort in life will increase, which will have a good effect on each of us. You should not deviate from the opportunities provided; this is a good start to a better life.

Activities to create comfortable living conditions for the population of apartment buildings and other buildings (water supply, wastewater disposal, supply of electricity, gas and heating) are housing and communal services. What is included in their list and what requirements they must meet is vital information for consumers.

New rules

In 2012, new rules related to the provision of services in the public utilities sector were introduced. The Decree on the procedure for their provision provides a precise definition of public utilities (CS). The executors of the CG are legal entities or individual entrepreneurs. They acquire resources, carry out work and are responsible for the serviceability of all intra-house communications. Residents of apartment buildings and other residential buildings are faced with a number of conditions spelled out in Section 2 of the new rules. You have the right to use CU:

• owners of residential premises together with their families;
• persons who received housing from a cooperative organization;
• tenants of premises;
• persons who have rented an apartment or room.

What is included in the concept of “utilities”? These are the following benefits: electricity, drainage, access to hot and cold water and others. According to the rules, they are supplied continuously, and heating is provided around the clock during the season. In residential complexes, accidents and irregular supply of heat or water are possible, but within the framework of strictly regulated standards related to the quality of the heating system.

What is included in the list of utilities?

Services included in the list of utilities are presented in the table below.

The list of what is included in utilities depends on the level of comfort of the house. If a sewerage system is not installed in a residential premises, then it should not be counted as a utility service.

Housing services

Any consumer, studying receipts for accommodation, pays attention to consumable items related to general household needs. These are housing services. What is included in the utility costs for this area? What does the consumer pay for? Residents of apartments, unlike residents of private houses, pay the following expenses arising from the maintenance of property that is public:

1. Lighting, maintaining optimal temperature according to legal rules.
2. Cleaning, cleaning, creating sanitation for public areas and areas within the house.
3. Costs of waste discharge and transportation (solid, liquid). Organizations and entrepreneurs located in a residential building are also required to pay these expenses.
4. Fire safety.
5. Maintenance of landscaping and landscaping of the land, which is part of the property of the house.
6. Repair costs (capital and current).
7. Activities to prepare for seasonal use of the house.
8. Costs of maintaining public property.
9. Inspection activities for common areas.

About the provision of utility serviceson power supply

According to the rules that came into force back in 2012, the changes affected the order of power supply. In some cases, enterprises that supply electricity to homes may be executors of utility services. What is included in electricity utilities?

Firstly, resource supplying organizations are not obliged to maintain the internal electrical system and are not responsible for the level of its quality inside the house. Secondly, they are responsible only for the proper provision of services up to the boundaries separating the elements of the system.

The new requirements include the right of the consumer to take readings every month from the 23rd to the 25th and transfer them to the energy sales organization by the 26th of the same month. If the data has not been received, Energosbyt has the right to calculate the volume of consumption according to the standards. The consumer must give Energosbyt representatives the opportunity to check the condition of the devices and the accuracy of the data.

Everyone knows that touching seals, removing meters, interfering with their operation so that the meter does not “wind” is prohibited. Such actions will lead to the fact that the payment will increase significantly: they will charge “kulibin” taking into account the power of the devices for their round-the-clock operation for all residents.

The changes also affected the procedure for calculating the volume of provided household electricity. It is paid separately as part of the CU, monthly. So, if you are on vacation, do not live in an apartment, or are absent for other reasons, then you are still required to pay for the general household electricity consumption during this time. The volume of common house utilities is calculated and divided among residents, taking into account the space occupied by each. In the absence of a common house meter, the calculation is made on the basis of standards. They are different for each region, but are developed according to a general methodology. In addition, the organization that supplies light has the right to turn it off for a tenant who is in debt for three months of consumption. The absence of a counter will not play any role in this case.

New standards

In 2013, changes were approved regarding the rules for the provision of corporate governance. What is included in the concept of "utility fees"? How is it calculated under the new rules? Payment for utilities (except for heating) is divided into personal and general house and is signed separately on the receipt.

The innovations also affected standard coefficients. They should “encourage” the population of apartment buildings to install individual meters. For those who have the technical ability to supply devices that keep house-wide and individual records, but have not done so, increased standards have been introduced for all types of utilities. For example, after the new year, payment increased by 10%, six months later - by another 10%, and so on until the excess reaches 60%! As a result, those who do not install meters will have to pay in two years 60% more than those who did.

The advantage in this situation is that this overpayment for the utilities should be spent by the management organization on energy saving and increasing the efficiency of power systems. A question arises regarding the president’s demand not to allow the cost of corporate capital to increase above 6% per year. How will this instruction be implemented for those living in apartments and houses without meters?

Payment procedure for communal housing utilities

The new Rules for the provision of utility services contain a modified formula for calculating heating standards. In the old version, the total consumption of thermal energy was divided into the total squares of premises (residential + non-residential + public). In the new version, they are divided into total squares of residential and non-residential premises without common areas. Thus, the standard has increased.

I am glad that residents have been waived from paying for common heating costs. Now residents will not have to pay for heating the entrance where there are no radiators. Water management and drainage systems have also been excluded from general house standards: you will not have to pay for the drainage of water that was used to water the lawns. The new rules for the provision of utility services propose to calculate the general house metering of hot and cold water taking into account the norms: 90 liters per person per month.

Organizations managing utility companies are now motivated to reduce general house losses. The volume of services provided must be within the standard; if it is still exceeded, then the difference is paid by the management company itself, and not by consumers. The exception is houses where at a meeting of owners it was decided to divide the excess between residents. If the CG performer is not a company, but a resource supplier, then the difference is divided between consumers, taking into account the space they own.

How to establish the fact of improper provision of CG?

What to do if there are no light bulbs in the entrance for several days or the window panes are broken? If the CG is provided of poor quality, and there is no way to call the contractor or he does not respond, then the consumer can establish the fact of a violation of his rights. The tenant draws up an act with the participation of two neighbors and the chairman of the HOA (house council). The period of improper provision of corporate governance will be counted from the moment the act is signed (an example is given below).

What to do if utility services do not organize cleaning of the local area for months or do not carry out repair work in the entrances? After all, these are also utilities. What is included in measures to protect the rights of tenants?

1. Preparation of a collective claim with the full name, address and signature of all residents addressed to the management company. The main requirement is to eliminate service deficiencies within a reasonable period.
2. Personal and written appeal to the Housing and Communal Services Department of the city or district. List in writing the shortcomings in the provision of utility services and ask to take measures to eliminate them, and to bring those responsible to justice.
3. If the first and second steps do not produce results, file a claim in court.

Contract for the provision of utilities

CG are provided under a paid written agreement with provisions on the procedure for their provision according to the new rules. It must take into account the provisions of the Rules and contain the necessary conditions regulating public services. What is included in the contract, what is the procedure for its conclusion?

The organization providing CG has the right to conclude a written agreement if the tenant is already using CG or intends to consume them. An agreement with provisions for the provision of services when these actions are performed by the consumer is considered concluded. The rules establish a period within which the contractor must provide services and demand payment.

For any form of ownership, the management organization must provide the necessary utilities and cannot refuse residents to include in their contractual obligations the provision of services that the level of home improvement allows.

For employers and tenants, a rental or lease agreement is drawn up. If a written contract does not comply with these innovations, then it is still considered that it was concluded in accordance with the new requirements and taking into account all their conditions. If the consumer does not have a contract on paper, the management organization or supplier does not have the right to refuse to provide services to him.

Six ways to reduce your rent

How to find out what is included in public services and where to go to protect your rights? With a few steps you can reduce utility costs and influence utility companies:

1. Formally requesting your rates by line item will help you see what your utilities include, what you have to pay for, and what services you're not receiving in full.
2. To draw up an act for services not provided within a month, you need to invite an employee of the housing cooperative of your management company to visit you. The act must be prepared by the 20th of the current month.
3. Together with a housing cooperative employee (or without him), draw up a claim act. Collect signatures from residents (the more, the better).
4. In the first days of the month, submit an application to the housing cooperative for recalculation of payment for the utility bill; the acts must be attached.
5. If utility companies refuse to recalculate, file a complaint with the consumer protection department of the region, region, or the city housing and communal services department.
6. In addition, the consumer has the right to refuse such services as cleaning staircases.

Conclusion

Innovations in the procedure for providing CG were made to make their receipt simple and transparent. In general, they streamline the relationship between the population and housing and communal services. But there are a number of ambiguities in the new rules. Whether this reform will be effective will become known over time.

They discuss all the nuances of making payments by residents and organizations for the provision of housing and communal services to the population.

To be able to fully use all provided housing and communal services and to avoid controversial situations, the tenant must know their types. What is included in housing and communal services and what services we pay for will be discussed in the article.

What is included in housing and communal services?

The supply of the house with the necessary resources is carried out by companies (partnerships) that have licenses for this.

Housing and communal services - what is included in the maintenance of housing and what is it?

The complete list of communal benefits is as follows:

1. Cold water supply. The main requirements for cold water are safety from pathogens and unacceptable chemical impurities. Water supply (both cold and hot) must be constant; a break of more than 8 hours per month is unacceptable, and in case of emergency - more than 24 hours.
2. Hot water supply. In addition to the above requirements, there are also temperature standards - from 65 to 75 degrees Celsius () with slight possible deviations.
3. Water disposal (sewage). Housing must have a wastewater disposal system. Water supply and sanitation are regulated by Federal Law No. 416 of 12/07/11 “On water supply and sanitation”.
4. Heat supply. This type of service is determined by the air temperature in the apartment or other room. It should not fall below +18 degrees (+15 for entrances) for ordinary rooms and +20 for corner rooms. The permissible shutdown time (during the heating season) is 24 hours per month. Legal basis - Federal Law No. 190 of July 27, 2010 “On Heat Supply”.
5. Gasification. Household gas is not connected to all houses and apartments, but if the housing is connected to a unified system, then its payment is included in utilities, according to Federal Law No. 69 of 03.03.99 “On gas supply in the Russian Federation.”
6. Electricity. Power outages should not last more than 2 hours for two sources and 24 hours for one source.
7. Lighting of common areas.

List of municipal utilities and their features

Another type of provided functions in the housing sector is municipal services in the housing and communal services sector.

Such services are not associated with individual apartments or houses, but also ensure a comfortable existence for the owners or home owners.

Main types of housing and communal services:

• housing maintenance, repair responsibilities. The purpose of the function is to maintain the serviceability of the premises (legal support - and Government Decree No. 491 dated 13.08.06);
• major, unscheduled and current repairs;
• garbage removal - waste, garbage chute, etc.;
• other provided and paid services. For example, housing and communal services provide cleaning of entrances, elevators and local areas, 24-hour security and guarded parking, concierge, food delivery, help desk and much more.

  Such services do not have to be present in every home, but if they are, then payment is made according to established tariffs (usually all municipal benefits are calculated based on living space).

Utilities and rent

Rent is fixed in law and an exhaustive list of payments included in it is indicated in Article 154 of the Housing Code of the Russian Federation.
According to it, the owner (owner, tenant, if provided for in the contract) is obliged, on general terms, to pay for the list of housing and communal services included in the rent:

• appropriate fees for the maintenance and repair of residential premises, common property of an apartment building;
• payment according to tariffs for provided and used utility and municipal services (the list of housing and communal services is above).

You can pay your bill at Russian Post offices, via the Internet, by bank transfer, or in electronic terminals that have such functionality. The rent amount is formed separately for each item on the basis of agreements with the company (companies) providing the services.

Operation of property and maintenance of housing

What are operational services in housing and communal services?

The list of housing and communal services may also include paid operating services.

They are provided to persons living in residential premises, and payments are made for them.

The exploited property for the use of which the tariff price is determined includes:

• landline telephone service;
• television, Internet;
• common household property that requires maintenance;
• intercom;
• security post and much more.

It should be noted that operational housing and communal services are paid only if they are available and used by residents, for example, if there is no intercom, no one has the right to demand money for it.

List of services of the housing and communal services management company for the maintenance of housing services:

All disputes, inconsistencies and problems with low-quality housing and communal services, contracts in the field of housing and communal services are resolved exclusively on a legal level. Lawyers provide services in the following matters:

• illegal growth of tariffs, especially provided that the quality of services does not change;
• deterioration of living conditions;
• shutdowns of utilities for periods exceeding those established by law, as well as non-compliance with standards (for example, hot water of insufficient temperature);
• failure of either party to fulfill its obligations, or illegal excess of rights (infringement of the rights of others);
• any structures or systems in the apartment or house are malfunctioning;
• inaction of authorized persons and organizations.

Additional and imposed

In addition to the mandatory paid utilities, municipal and other services, there are additional new paid housing and communal services options that are not included in the maintenance of the house.

The most common of them are additional security systems, such as video surveillance, security, alarms, etc.

Many unscrupulous companies charge improper fees for various services. The most common illegal payments are:

1. Additional services of the housing and communal services management company not included in the contract.
2. Mandatory services included in the contract, if a separate fee is charged for them above the norm.
3. Fees for the activities of the organization (remunerations, commissions, etc.).

According to Article 16 of the Law on the Protection of Consumer Rights, the contractor does not have the right to impose his paid services not provided for in the contract.

If the rights of residents are violated, they can resolve the dispute out of court, through a complaint, or contact the housing inspectorate, the prosecutor's office or the court.

It is important for every owner (owner, tenant) of housing to know the list of payments that are mandatory and payments that are imposed illegally.

A citizen has the right to protect his rights in any legal way and protect himself from illegal actions of service companies providing services in the housing and communal services sector.